Toward a Standardized Framework for Benthic Mapping Data and Metadata Integration in Florida

Spatially-integrated marine benthic data provide the foundation for effective spatial decision-support tools that address critical issues in marine and coastal systems. However, the diversity of benthic data types and forms often presents challenges for proper data integration. Without common standards, these data cannot be easily integrated and reused. Here, we proposed standards for data collection, processing, archiving, and publication, as well as metadata standards, for various types of commonly integrated marine data (i.e., bathymetric, backscatter, biological, chemical, geological, and physical oceanographic data). The standards are aimed at Florida data producers and users and, as a result, leverage existing state, regional, and national infrastructure. The standards recommendations were shared with the Florida-based stakeholder community to quantify the overall level of agreement, the likelihood of their widespread adoption, and the types of tools needed to increase that likelihood. Overall, the Florida community reported varying but positive agreement with the recommended standards and expressed willingness to adopt them, on the condition that easy-to-use tools and comprehensive documentation are provided to facilitate the implementation. We also found that while relatively few individuals or organizations establish standards themselves, most researchers and users are willing to adopt recommended practices when they are easy and efficient to implement. In an era where scientific data are digitally processed and archived, scientists must foster a culture that consistently shares data, workflows, and use cases. However, this requires tools and accessible resources to facilitate the broader adoption of standards within the scientific community.